Chapter 4

I stared at Mr. Russell.

The way he insisted on Olivia's innocence was the same as five years ago. Back then, he had stood behind the crowd, sounding helpless as he told everyone to calm down and not scare her.

My mother immediately turned around to protect him and Olivia, not even giving my dad or me a single glance.

I curled my lips into a faint smile. "Aren't you best at using Olivia's 'innocence' as an excuse? It was like this five years ago, and it's still the same now."

My mother hated it most when others brought up what happened five years ago.

I looked at her and suddenly remembered how I would wait by the window for her to come home many years ago.

At that time, I was still young, and my dad always spoke up for her. He said that my mother's company was having difficulties recently, and it would be fine once she got through this period.

One day, my mother came home, looking very pale. After sitting at the table in silence for a long time, she told my dad that the company's capital chain broke, and she had debts. She was afraid it would drag us down, so she wanted to file for divorce first.

That day, my dad's face turned pale, but he did not blame her. He just asked, "Is it getting hard to keep going?"

My mother nodded.

After that, my dad took out all the money he had saved after marriage and gave it to her, including bank cards and savings passbooks. He gave her all of them and even took on many jobs—sewing clothes during the day and working in the kitchen of a diner at night, hoping to help her get through this difficult time together.

At that time, the thing I looked forward to most every day was waiting by the window after school. I waited for her to open the door and pick us up.

My dad always asked me to wait a little longer and said that my mother would come when she was done with work.

I believed him for a long time.

Later, my mother said again that the house was going to be used to pay off debts, and we had to move out.

My dad still believed her. He took me to the cheapest rental house in the old town, continued to work hard to earn money, and continued to wait for her.

Not long after, the TV, phones, and mall screens were all broadcasting news of my mother's remarriage.

The wedding venue was huge, the lights were bright, and there were many people. Wearing a suit, Mr. Russell stood beside her, while Olivia stood in the middle of them, like a child who had everyone's approval.

The host said they looked like the perfect family of three.

My dad held his phone, his hands shaking. He stared at it for a long time before finally coming to his senses and taking me to the wedding venue by cab. However, we could not even get in the door. Security guards blocked the way, and everyone around was watching.

My dad explained repeatedly that he just wanted to see my mother and ask her some questions. However, no one would let us through.

Later, my mother saw us through the crowd.

I thought she would come over, but the next second, Mr. Russell grabbed Olivia, saying she was frightened and that my mother should not allow us to continue causing a scene. She immediately had security drag us out. "Don't let them make a scene."

Those were her last words.

When my dad and I were pushed out of the hotel, it was raining outside. My dad was soaked to the core but refused to leave; he only stared at the lights inside.

Later, I chased after my mother, refusing to let go. I grabbed her clothes and asked her why. She got annoyed and simply shook me off. I tumbled down the steps and hit my ears on the handrail. The pain was so intense that I could not hear anything.

My dad carried me to several hospitals. The doctors were very clear—early treatment meant there was still hope. However, we did not get it treated in time.